Matisyahu's Beard

I grew my beard as an expression of Jewish pride, not as a response to weakness.

This morning I posted a photo of myself on Twitter. No more Chassidic reggae superstar. Sorry folks, all you get is me…no alias. When I started becoming religious 10 years ago it was a very natural and organic process. It was my choice.…. At a certain point I felt the need to submit to a higher level of religiosity…to move away from my intuition and to accept an ultimate truth. I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules—lots of them—or else I would somehow fall apart. I am reclaiming myself. Trusting my goodness and my divine mission…. Matisyahu.

In a subsequent interview with WNYC radio, the Grammy-nominated singer explained that he remains observant but underwent a transformation. He kept the long beard, he said, out of fear that removing it would result in being denied God’s mercy. He overcame that fear and no longer needs facial hair.

As one who appreciated his music and loved his message, the tweet gave me pause. It brought me back to the day that I, too, shaved my beard.

I grew a beard when I was 21 years old. A fledgling rabbinical student with a pronounced speech impediment, I had just finished the most depressing year of my life. The intensive speech therapy program I had engaged in was failing, and the yeshiva I attended beheld a culture I could not embrace. It was time for a new beginning. I was going to Israel to attend the renowned and revered Mir Yeshiva. Throughout my darkest moments, I craved - and felt - a special relationship with God. But within that relationship it was time for renewal, time for a new tempo to the song of my life.

My flight to Israel was scheduled for late summer. “The Three Weeks,” a time when Orthodox Jewish men don’t shave to express mourning for the destruction of the Temples, fell a few weeks before my departure. Already adorned by red stubble, I chose to not shave and let it grow into a red beard.

Life is replete with symbols. The clothes we wear, the company we keep and the haircut we sport, each express the person we are and the person we want to be. Teenage boys wearing hair combed towards their forehead appreciate this, as do scientists sporting unkempt hair and shaggy sweaters. I did, too. The beard – the male expression of maturity – defined my commitment, devotion and determination to connect with God anew. It was a new look and a new beginning.

I kept the beard for two years, throughout my stay in Israel. By then I felt much better inside and outside. I met people who were both friendly and Godly, my studies were progressing, and I found friends who understood me and rabbis whom I understood. Just before I came home to the States, the Remington came out and the beard came off.

I kept the beard off for three years. Then I met my soul-mate, married and chose a career in the field of Jewish education and outreach. One month after our wedding was sefira, when Jewish men don’t shave to commemorate the loss of the academy of Rabbi Akiva to a plague, in 150 CE. The beard grew again, and it's been on ever since.

Matisyahu remains an observant Jew and, even more, a keeper of the beard does not make one a keeper of the faith.

I feel comfortable with it because it was added as an expression of Jewish pride, not as a response to weakness. Judaism is my life. And I don’t intend to remove it.

Matisyahu remains an observant Jew and, even more, a keeper of the beard does not make one a keeper of the faith. But it would be remiss to ignore that it was the beard which made Matisyahu a sensation. The removal of the beard occurred because Matisyahu no longer saw in it the symbolism that the media and his fans saw in it. A clean shaven white guy doing reggae, no matter how clever and talented, would not have made it to the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

The world knows that the Orthodox Jew speaks to mankind. The wise, sagacious rabbi envisioned by our greatest admirers is bearded, as is the evil, world-dominating caricature concocted by anti-Semites.

What does the Orthodox Jew say to the world? He says that God is infinitely engaged in creation. He says that God calls mankind to self-regulation, to commit to absolute values, to break the idol worship of self and to build and dignify the institution of other. He speaks of the deep richness of the Godly and the fleeting pleasures of the worldly, imploring mankind to choose spiritual fine wine over material candy. He says that the battle between good and evil exists and persists at all times, in the world and within our lives. And he proclaims that ultimately our good deeds will usher in a Messianic era when all mankind will recognize God as Creator and loving Father.

Orthodox Jews know the message, and it was the medium of Matisyahu that helped to bring it to the masses. I will miss Matisyahu’s beard. And pray that others – with or without beards – learn to express, as Matisyahu did, a craving for the Divine, absolute values that are sublime, to help turn the tide for a great nation in moral decline.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 48

(36)
Melissa,
May 17, 2012 7:45 AM

What a huge chilul Hashem - and not b/c of the beard

I don't care whether someone decides to shave off his beard or not - what does it ahve to do with anything. What bother me is this "At a certain point I felt the need to submit to a higher level of religiosity…to move away from my intuition and to accept an ultimate truth. I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules—lots of them—or else I would somehow fall apart.". ...and the unwritten ending to that is "now I don't anymore." So tell me what that means? I'll tell you what it sounds like: he felt like he went against his intuition to accept what turns out was not an ultiamte truth and that you don't really need all the "rules" spelt out by the Jewish religion. Anyone who was a big fan, like I was, and followed his every public move closley, will not fail to notice his behaviour becoming less and less like that of Torah Jew.
What a huge chilul Hashem.

(35)
Mother of Teens,
January 8, 2012 12:16 PM

Two thoughts for Mattisyahu

I would like to offer two thoughts to Mattisyahu. The first thing I thought of on seeing this story was the Kaliver Rebbe, shlita. One will notice in close-up photos of him that his beard is unusually thin and patchy. The reason is that the Nazis, may their name be obliterated, threw acid on his face to destroy his beard, and it never grew normally again. Though he is no longer able to grow a beard as fine as Mattisyahu’s was, he wears his beard with pride, and I dare say he would most likely aver that wearing a beard is, for a Jewish man, a tremendous badge of freedom.
The other thing I thought of was a comment I recently heard about another Jewish superstar musician. “With so much talent and charisma,” the commenter said, “he has the ability to really lift young people up.” Mattisyahu also has that talent, charisma, and ability, which is a privilege – and a responsibility.
May you go mechayil el chayil, Mattisyahu.

(34)
Anonymous,
January 3, 2012 11:37 AM

in support of Matisyahu

It is simple to 'look relgious' all you need is to buy the right clothes, hat, grow a beard ..etc. The challenge is to 'sound religious'. I hope and truly believe that Matisyahu, who is a very influential Jew today will conitnue to 'sound religious' by singing and writing his "21st century Book of Psalms".
keep on writing your Torah- inspired music Matisyahu!

(33)
Anonymous,
January 2, 2012 1:37 PM

I am shocked at all the negative and bitter responses. What do you know about his path? How can you assume so much by his announcement? Where is your ahavat Yisoel?

(32)
Anonymous,
January 1, 2012 9:08 AM

It's not the shaving, but the twitter announcement i found so distasteful. One would presume a decision like this would not have come lightly, could he not have found a more dignified way to present himself? I don't envy him the test of celebrity, it rarely makes for a better person.

(31)
Tova,
December 31, 2011 7:35 PM

I have been a huge fan of Matis ever since he started. I would go to his concerts in NYC and follow him on TV shows and ofcourse listen to his music and love every song. I was not religious at the time and was very inspired by his lyrics... I feel that he when he started he was on fire,,, he was religous, loved Hashem and wanted to bring His name to the world. Throughout the years as he became more and more famous Matis started to ,,,change. Being rich and famous is a very heavy challenge and im not judging him but I feel its had an influence. Anyways, I wish him luck and thank him for all the times his music has lifted me up.

(30)
Jose Luis,
December 31, 2011 5:12 PM

It's not the beard, It's his statement

My family and I are big fans of his music, so forget the beard. It's his statement which leaves a bad taste and huge questions: "reclaiming myself. Trusting my goodness and my divine mission"-what is he- a self-appointed prophet all of a sudden? What 'goodness'? (Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9). What's next-drugs, adultery, idolatry? Once you start to peel an onion...

(29)
Anonymous,
December 30, 2011 6:56 PM

in the future

let's see how he acts in the future!

(28)
Anonymous,
December 30, 2011 7:21 AM

what is a beard?

So Mattisyahu becomes religious and grows a beard, becomes a famous rapper and decides to shave. If he and his wife are fine with him cutting off his payot and beard the rest of us should not judge. That does not make him a lesser Jew. However those who wear the beard and claim to be positive role models should be consistent. When others see us look a part we should play the part. Smoking illegal drugs before a show and acting inappropriately does not make you a frum Jew even if you sport the Chassidishe "look". The affectations don't make your actions correct.

(27)
Shulamis Mallet,
December 28, 2011 12:01 PM

Bearding the Lion

Dear Matisyahu, amv"s, If you want to wear a beard, wear a beard. If you don't want to wear a beard, don't wear a beard. G-d loves you either way. If a person wants to learn how to swim, jumping into a pool at the deep end might force him to learn faster, but he's also in danger of drowning. Find your feet, and then learn how to swim. You are still an amazing role model, not just for the Jewish world, but for the world in general. It's okay to say "I went too far, I need to take a breath". Just remember that G-d is with you with every step you take. And so should all Jews be. The world is watching our reaction, too. How can someone who's never been there, criticize? That you found Judaism in a world full of material quicksand is a miracle. Find your feet, get comfortable, and enjoy your relationship with G-d. After all, HE enjoys His relationship with you. As you get comfortable, if you feel up to taking another step, go ahead. When you're ready. It's true that the world will be watching, but you can show the world that it's okay to think and to move more slowly. It's better to take one cautious step forward, then a few rushed steps and then fall back. If ultimately you decide to wear the beard, then wear the beard. The choice is yours. It doesn't make you less of a Jew to go beardless. Whatever you do, let it come from the heart. You bring joy to G-d with every step you take. All the Best, Shulamis

(26)
Anonymous,
December 28, 2011 6:45 AM

Beards

I feel when a person has a beard it keeps him in check in a way. If someone who is not religious or someone who is religious sees a man in a beard with a kippah on, they expect a certain level of religiousity.Someone with a beard is not supposed to read certain things, do certain things and think certain things even.So for me and I am not perfect by far, I feel for me that it helps me .

(25)
Denise,
December 27, 2011 9:24 PM

I haven't listened to Matisyahu's music

since his concert for Chabad in Toronto this year. What a big disappointment and no, I am not talking about the music.

(24)
tysmom,
December 27, 2011 8:23 PM

i don't understand why shaving his beard needs to be seen as some sign of protest or an obseen act of any sort. Matisyahu stated that his spirituallity was decided by himself and himself alone...including the choice to either grow or shave his beard should be viewed in the same respect.The message he conveys with his music says great things of what being Jewish is really about., BEARD or NOT

efrat,
December 28, 2011 9:04 PM

secualr music

His music is now very secular in lyrics since he switched over to sony records. His music is not the same The album one day is secular lyrics. I'm sad he compromised the message and now maybe his level of observance. We will see.

Yechiel,
January 1, 2012 4:06 PM

I beg to differ.

First off, Matis is no longer with Sony. Secondly his last studio album with Sony titled "Light" had some real inspiring and Jewish themed songs particularly the songs "Temple" and "7 Beggars" Check 'em out on iTunes. (They were not on the actual album, they were iTunes bonus tracks)

(23)
Izzy,
December 27, 2011 7:50 PM

Very tough to be in the pop-scene

No one should judge him. Its very tough to be in that scene and stay strong. I can only pray for him and hopes he withstands the test and does not succumb to that world.
May G-D bless you Matisyahu and may you go from strength to stregth in Yiddishkeit and Chassidishkeit!
Ma'aseh Hu Ha-Ikar.

(22)
Anonymous,
December 27, 2011 5:28 PM

Awesome!

(21)
Anonymous,
December 27, 2011 12:01 PM

Mercy

Personally I don't care whether Matis has a beard or not. What I found interesting was his comment that he no longer believed that it was a symbol of G-d's divine mercy, and that if he removed his beard, surely G-d's mercy would not be removed from him, and that in fact he found the notion to be, and I am quoting here, "ludicrous." On Dec. 22 while playing a concert in Brooklyn, Matisyahu became annoyed by the flash of at a female press photographer's camera. During the concert, he tried to physically wrest the camera away. When he was unsuccessful, he kicked the photographer in the face and broke off the flash device from her camera. "I snapped," he later said. The photographer may file assault charges, but the point is, as a professional artist (and yes, religious Jew) his behavior was inexcusable. Perhaps that beard DID protect him with G-d's mercy after all.
PS. I just came from his concert last night in Portland and there were bright flashing lights throughout the concert, aimed at both Matishyahu and the audience, and the source of light came from his tech engineers.

(20)
Anonymous,
December 26, 2011 9:43 PM

no more light unto the nations?

We are supposed to be a light unto the nations! The whole point is that Matisyahu was out there as a celebrity who made himself into an overtly Orthodox Jew - which was a Kiddush Hashem! This was in front of the whole world! Then when he shed his Jewish look, it made observant Judaism look bad, as a star who championed it is leaving it behind - from the looks of the situation. Most people will not know the ins & outs of what Jewish practice requires or doesn't require. But the mere fact that someone - a celebrity - who chose to look like a Chassid now rejects that -- makes Jews in general look bad to the world at large. It would not matter if he were not so out there for all to debate about! If it were just between him & G-d, that would be a private mafter, but he has made himself a public figure & a spectacle, so all people focus on what he says & does. He should be a role model as a result of this responsibility, not turn his back on the apparencies in his former manifestation of his Yiddishkeit.

Baruch Ackermann haLevi,
December 28, 2011 3:23 PM

One world, one large piece of dirt...

The day humans seek to find ways to get along, it will make this earth a human planet. Perhaps the world looks the way it does because we the Jews did not wish to find a way to teach the rest of the creatures here about our ways. Meantime, beards, tzitzit and other outward signs are good PR... Yet they do not guarantee observance of morality and the 271 mivtzoyim we can observe today. Holiness is noticed quickest by children and animals. Beards are nothing more than hair on your face. When we all stop making everything mean so much we might learn to get along instead of spending most human hours devising the best comeback (oral or ordinance).

Anonymous,
January 1, 2012 8:59 AM

" Beards are nothing more than hair on your face"
I disagree. The beard has always been the symbol of the pious, traditional Jew. One of the most painful images we have seen from the Holocaust is that of the nazis removing the beard of the Jew.
I give credit to any Jew in the western world who is proud enough of his Jewish identity to grow his beard.

(19)
Daniel Krueger,
December 26, 2011 7:48 PM

A beard does not make one a Jew

I'll admit it - I have a beard, I've had one since forever.
It does not make me a better person or a better Jew - it just makes me, well me. I trim it so it is close to the face - but it is something that I am proud of (even with all the grey/gray these days).
I have my beard in honor of my dad (who had a totally different type of beard than I keep) but it keeps the connection - and to me the connections from generations before and I pray many more to come.
L'Dor Vador to L'Dor Vador

(18)
Anonymous,
December 26, 2011 3:22 PM

Freeing Himself of more than just a Beard

Mattisyahu said:
" I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules—lots of them—or else I would somehow fall apart. I am reclaiming myself. Trusting my goodness and my divine mission…"
In Other Words- He used to feel I needed the commandments but now he no longer does- He can be good without them.
I don't think it could be any clearer . By his own account Matisyahu was freeing himself of more than just his beard- Matisyahu no longer felt he needs Mitzvos. He can be good without them.

Andy,
December 27, 2011 5:10 PM

Only the Beard

Not at all ! There are so many unnecessary rules put on Jews these days by Rabbeim who are trying to do the right thing but are failing miserably by introducing chumra (strict viewpoint) after chumra after chumra. In New York in 2004 Orthodox Rabbis ordered Jews not to drink the tap water as they contained microscopic harmless organisms called copepods. Thouands of Jews went out and bought expensive water filtration systems or switched to just bottled water. We are not examine our food on a microscopic level !!!. Moses never had a microscope, and he didnt have a Brita filter either.
The beard - by halacha (Jewish Law) we must not bring a razor to several points on a males face. Some people like to beautify the mitzva by never cutting their hair there - but it is not an obligation to let the hair grow there. Of course there is Kaballah which tells us what a great idea it is to have a beard - but if you are criticising Matisyahu for shaving his beard (with a halachic electric razor) then you must also criticise the 25% of other Orthodix Rabbeim in the world who choose the have short or clean shaven beards.
To summarise. Your task in life is to enjoy and not to chumra, even for the (superstar) Matisyahu.

Anonymous,
January 2, 2012 1:41 PM

Thank you Andy-perfectly said.

(17)
Gary Sobel Spear,
December 26, 2011 3:13 PM

Matisyahu

I support Matisyahu for his actions, he still is observant yet at the same time he is saying I do not have to live by traditions of men but by traditions of G-d. Some Rabbinical rules are like Catholic Priest - they fit their beliefs and not what are Fathers said in the Torah. as David said כי אם בתורת יהוה חפצו ובתורתו יהגה יומם ולילה׃

Rebbe A.De La O,
December 27, 2011 5:36 PM

The beard is not a man made tradition

In last weeks parasha..Joseph shaved to be accepted in the court of Pharoh.

(16)
Anonymous,
December 26, 2011 6:54 AM

surprisingly disturbing

I am clean-shaven, yet I was surprisingly disturbed when Matisyahu shaved. I think it was more about the intentionally ambiguous message he sent. Was he still frum? It wasn't clear. He goes out of his way to post a picture in which you can't see if he is wearing a yarmulke. And maybe he wouldn't have made it without the yarmulke; we will never know. But he is VERY talented and I truly enjoy his music.

YY,
December 28, 2011 3:22 AM

lack of forethought instead?

In response to "surprisingly disturbing," I doubt he was intentionally sending the message he wasn't frum anymore. I think he just failed to think things through and evaluate how people would interpret the message. He seems to have no intention of becoming less frum. He even still seems chassidic -- he tweets about the Alter Rebbe and goes to a mikvah daily!

(15)
JACOB WAPINSKI,
December 26, 2011 5:20 AM

the author ends his article with the words: "absolute values that are sublime, to help turn the tide for a great nation in moral decline". I disagree with this statement, we are not a people in moral decline, though we do suffer from statements like this, which critize those of us that chose to be Jewish in contemporary times, which hold value and practice actions stemming from absolute Jewish values. we do not hold our views as exclusive nor do we exclude those that do not accept our way of being jewish.

Yaakov Rosenblatt,
December 26, 2011 3:50 PM

Jacob,
Sorry for not being clear. I meant the United States not the Jewish people. Matisyahu speaks to America.
Y

(14)
Steve Berr,
December 26, 2011 12:10 AM

Matisyahu was more than a beard

Your piece was excellent. I disagree with the commentator who didn't think that the beard did not make him attractive to Jimmy Kimmel. The beard made this excellent rap star unique. It got his foot in the door, but didn't make him great. He was great. And if he continues to be popular when beardless that will make him (perhaps) more confident in his talent. I say to him "Yashe Koach", and if you want to be beardless, be so. Just continue to be a mensch.

(13)
kate b,
December 25, 2011 11:01 PM

Matisyahu's image

I remember Matisyahu being on the cover of NME, I bought a CD to decide if he really was worth the hype; and he was. He came to Manchester uni and I went to see/hear him. I agree, he did a lot to get Torah out to people who'd never even heard of it, because he looked unremarkable (no distractions) it made you concentrate on the lyrics/music.

(12)
barbara klein-henry,
December 25, 2011 7:24 PM

Matisyahu is one of the "good guys" of a world that seems to be getting darker.....but he shines as one of God's marvelous lights....making this world brighter with the love of Ha Shem....todah rabah to Matisyahu.

(11)
Sandy Goodman,
December 25, 2011 6:18 PM

An erlach Yid without a beard than a beard without a Yid

For almost all of my adult life, except when I was an ovel, I was clean shaven.
But 8 years ago, at the request of my lovely wife, I grew a beard and have had one ever since.
My point, one does not need to have a beard to be a good committed Jew.

(10)
Leah,
December 25, 2011 5:38 PM

He's still a jew for crying out loud!

I have never listened to his music and not for negative reasons I do not plan on it. I am just not really interested in doing so. The beard does not prevent me from recognizing that he is a jew and should be treated with ahavas yisrael- unconditional love for one's fellow jew.
Pardon his dust while he renovates his neshama. Yes, I hear those who will say that he was in the limelight and that he influences people so he should'nt have shaved off his beard. He still is human htough- come on.

R. K.,
December 28, 2011 1:08 AM

agreed--we need to work on our ahavas yisroel

What the brouhaha represents for me is not a failing on the part of Matisyahu (who has said he's not abandoning mitzvos and has been seen since shaving the beard with sideburns, tzitzis, and a kippah). What it represents is how the Jewish people still need to refine our Ahavas Yisroel. People saw Matisyahu's missing beard and immediately jumped to conclusions about his religiosity without listening to what he had to say for himself or without watching his actions. They didn't pay attention to the very next Tweet after the photo that he'd put on tefillin and dipped in the mikvah that very morning (how many of the complainers actually went to mikveh that morning)?
Personally, I think that a beard is a wonderful thing on a Jewish man. Someone quoted Matisyahu as saying, " I felt that in order to become a good person I needed rules—lots of them—or else I would somehow fall apart. I am reclaiming myself. Trusting my goodness and my divine mission…" However, people are ignoring the rest of the interview, in which he explains that he had felt that he could only receive bracha if he wore the beard (this is a kabbalistic concept which I'm not knocking). The rules were causing him to serve G-d from a place of fear, not from wanting a connection with G-d.
Matisyahu has been religious now for 10 years. For many people new to religious practice, we have magical thinking: if we just do everything "perfectly," HaShem will make our life perfect. Perhaps Matisyahu feels that he's fell into this false belief and is working on serving HaShem out of simcha, not fear. If that is what is happening, Matisyahu has grown up. We should be respectful of his spiritual process and give him the space that we would want if we were in his shoes.
Jews don't have to prove themselves to other Jews. Only to HaShem.

(9)
Brian,
December 25, 2011 5:17 PM

Great Job Yaakov

You took a bit of a hard subject and wrote a great one here with wisdom.
But one point needs to be stressed that wasn't.
Matisyahu needs chizuk now from all of us frum people, not criticism or abandonment.
Everyone knows that his chassidus and beard gave him stardom-he is very talented for sure but you are right that the beard and chassidic dress made him a novelty. But that wasn't his intent at all when he began his career with a beard.
So he shaved his beard, so what? It's a stringency to have a beard not an obligation. He is still Torah observant and let's give him our support.
It would not only be horrible for him personally if he drifts further from us, it would also be a chilul Hashem, similar to the Dr. Laura story. It is not good for us when famous people adopt Torah and then drop it later.

(8)
Rabbi Yonah,
December 25, 2011 4:46 PM

Thank you for your personal thoughts on the issue of the beard heard round the world.
I wonder though how qualified anyone is to make this statement "A clean shaven white guy doing reggae, no matter how clever and talented, would not have made it to the Jimmy Kimmel Show." Eminem is a white guy doing a rap style that is characteristic of black culture - and Jimmy Kimmel would kvell to get him on the show. He has sold more records than... anyone.
But what I felt with that comment and others was that you believe that Matisyahu's success was a result of the beard. That is an entirely different level of critique.There is no way to know this. Hashem works in amazing ways, and creating a star out of a man with a beard and yarmulka is very easy for Hashem. I am sure that it required no effort, so to speak.

Anonymous,
December 26, 2011 6:53 AM

Disagree

Yonah- The writer is correct, the artists main appeal is that he looks like a rabbi that performs reggae-That is the unique aspect to his whole appeal. That's what all his fans talk about.

(7)
Joel,
December 25, 2011 4:37 PM

It's the Internal that Counts

I know that in many Orthodox circles Matisyahu has been slammed for shaving his beard. Although the external is important for helping support the internal, its the internal which ultimately counts.
I have a similar beard history and have struggled between wanting the strong external Jewish identity but at the same time wanting to look good, and similarly the issue of wearing a kippah in ALL public situations versus wearing a baseball hat. No matter what my external looks like at any moment what I feel is most important is that I'm struggling with it - thinking, debating with myself, etc...all of which helps me grow internally.

(6)
Tom Jones,
December 25, 2011 3:46 PM

If Jews didnt have Torah law they would not even be Jewish.

History shows that a lack of following the law from Moses orthodoxly is always the down fall of Jews everywhere. In my opinion the less laws a person follows, the less Jewish they are.

(5)
Yaakov,
December 25, 2011 3:26 PM

Grow the beard and then you'll reach the level of a beard

My father learned in Torah V'daas and then Mir Yeshivah. One day a man asked him why he, an Orthodox Jew, did not have a beard. He said that he was taught in his yeshivas that you have to be on a certain level to have a beard and he does not feel he is on that level. The man responded, "Grow the beard and the beard will bring you to the level of a beard!"
My father never shaved again to this day.
Thank you Rabbi Rosenblatt for this article. Very well said.

(4)
Anonymous,
December 25, 2011 2:42 PM

A Man of Humble Gratitude or a Man Without a Beard??

Rabbi Rosenblatt portrays the singer as a baal madreigah who refuses to posture for his public. Especially because of the influence Matisyahu has on many young people, Jewish and otherwise, we can only pray the Rabbi's image of Matisyahu as a man of personal courage and outstandtng qualities is correct.

(3)
Malky Weinstock,
December 25, 2011 1:59 PM

LITE Girl is trying to insitll the message of God, as a loving Father

Hello, I so identified with your essay, especially your statement of the Messianic times when the world will recognize God, as the Creator and Loving Father. I am also a creative individual, and am using a unique venue to bring this message home to jewish little girls. I created the LITE Girl company, www.bealitegirl.com, producing inspirational kosher creative characters, alternatives to Barbie, Dora, and other Disney characters. LITE Girls' (LITE is an acronym for Love. Inspire. Teach Encourage. ) mission is to help foster that unique relationship with Hashem--as our Father, and with every Jew--as our brother/ sister. "To make the world a better place, I have to start with me" is a strong line in our theme song, I'm really hoping to inspire little girls to grow up to be the women and mothers of Tomorrow who will make the world a better place that is ready to embrace the Ultimate Redemption. I have such a passionate vision, and pray to Hashem to help my vision take off.

An Older Girl,
December 25, 2011 4:44 PM

That program was an ingenius idea!

I just looked up your program online. Girls from all over the world look up to and model Barbie dolls, Bratz, and many othet characters that have no values. I hope your program will instill true values while still allowing little girls to be little girls!
Much Hatzlacha!

(2)
Mordy,
December 25, 2011 11:30 AM

It's What's Inside that Counts

My rebbe used to say in Yiddish: "Besser a yid ohn a bord vi a bord ohn a yid," which translates to "Better a Jew without a beard than a beard without a Jew!" By the way, my rebbe was clean shaven!

(1)
chaya,
December 25, 2011 11:12 AM

remeber who you are

i agree with the rav, but matisyahu needs to remeber who he is. i feel like ever since he started to become more and more famous he is starting to forget who he is. i hope matis took off his beard for the right reasons and not the wrong ones. chanukah someach.

My Christian friends are always speaking about “faith.” To me this sounds a lot like blind faith. Is that really the essence of religion?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

I'm afraid that this is another case of a Christian concept being mis-associated with Judaism.

Let's first define our terms. What is faith?

Webster defines faith as "Belief without proof."

What is knowledge? "An acquaintance with truth, facts or principles through study or investigation."

Faith is usually a product of desire. Have you ever gotten a tip on the market that guarantees you're going to triple your money in a month? A lot of smart people have gotten fleeced because they ignored the evidence and went with their feelings.

Knowledge, on the other hand, is based on evidence. We know there's a place called China because we have too many products in our house saying "made in China." There's a lot of evidence for the existence of China, even though most of us have never been there.

Judaism unequivocally comes down on the side of knowledge, not faith. In Deuteronomy 4:39, the Torah says: "You shall know this day, and understand it well in your heart, that the Almighty is God; in the heaven above and the earth below, there is none other." (This verse is also contained in the prayer, "Aleynu.")

This verse tells us that it is not enough to simply know in your head, intellectually, that God is the Controller of everything. You must know it in your heart! This knowledge is much more profound than an intellectual knowledge. God gave us a brain because he wants us to think rationally about the world, our role in it, and our relationship with God.

A conviction based on desire or feelings alone has no place in Judaism. The Hebrew word "emunah," which is often translated as faith, does not describe a conviction based on feelings or desire. It describes a conviction that is based on evidence.

Once this knowledge is internalized, it effects how a person lives. A person with this knowledge could transform every breathing moment into a mitzvah, for he would do everything for the sake of the heaven. But this is not a "knowledge," that comes easily. Only intensive Torah learning and doing mitzvahs can achieve this knowledge. Every word of Torah we learn moves us just a little bit closer to that goal. And everyone is capable of that.

To learn more, read "The Knowing Heart," by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Feldheim.com). This entire book is an explanation of this verse!

In 350 BCE, the building of the second Holy Temple was completed in Jerusalem, as recorded in the biblical Book of Ezra (6:15). The re-building of the Temple had begun under Cyrus when the Persians first took over the Babylonian empire. The re-building was then interrupted for 18 years, and resumed with the blessing of Darius II, the Persian king whom is said to be the son of Esther. The Second Temple lacked much of the glory of the First Temple: There was no Ark of the Covenant, and the daily miracles and prophets were no longer part of the scenery. The Second Temple would stand for 420 years, before being destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE.

You shall know this day and consider it within your heart(Deuteronomy 4:39).

Business people who are involved in many transactions employ accountants to analyze their operations and to determine whether or not they are profitable. They may also seek the help of experts to determine which products are making money and which are losing. Such studies allow them to maximize their profits and minimize their losses. Without such data, they might be doing a great deal of business, but discover at the end of the year that their expenditures exceeded their earnings.

Sensible people give at least as much thought to the quality and achievement of their lives as they do to their businesses. Each asks himself, "Where am I going with my life? What am I doing that is of value? In what ways am I gaining and improving? And which practices should I increase, and which should I eliminate?"

Few people make such reckonings. Many of those that do, do so on their own, without consulting an expert's opinion. These same people would not think of being their own business analysts and accountants, and they readily pay large sums of money to engage highly qualified experts in these fields.

Jewish ethical works urge us to regularly undergo cheshbon hanefesh, a personal accounting. We would be foolish to approach this accounting of our very lives with any less seriousness than we do our business affairs. We should seek out the "spiritual C.P.A.s," those who have expertise in spiritual guidance, to help us in our analyses.

Today I shall...

look for competent guidance in doing a personal moral inventory and in planning my future.

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